Cadmium in General Industry (ICR)

Commercial Diving Operations (ICR)

Concrete and Masonry Construction (ICR)

Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (ICR)

Walking-Working Surfaces (ICR)

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Office of the Secretary

Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

September 24, 1998.

The DEPARTMENT OF LABOR (DOL) has submitted the following public information collection requests (ICRs) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). A copy of each individual ICR, with applicable supporting documentation, may be obtained by calling the DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, Departmental Clearance Officer, Todd R. Owen ((202) 219-5096 ext. 143) or by E-Mail to Owen-Todd@dol.gov.

Comments should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: OMB Desk Officer for BLS, DM, ESA, ETA, MSHA, OSHA, PWBA, or VETS, Office of Management and Budget, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503 ((202) 395-7316), within 30 days from the date of this publication in the Federal Register. The OMB is particularly interested in comments which:

• Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility;

• Evaluate the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;

• Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

• Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses.

Agency: Occuptational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories 29 CFR 1910.1450.

OMB Number: 1218-0131 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 34,214.

Total Responses: 306,909.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Ranges from 5 minutes to make records available to 1.75 hours for an employee to have a consultation and medical exam.

Total Burden Hours: 107,842.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $10,568,950.

Description: The Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories standard and its information collection requirements provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in laboratories. The Standard requires that employers establish a Chemical Hygiene Plan, including exposure monitoring and medical records. These records are used by employees, physicians, employers and OSHA to determine the effectiveness of the employers' compliance efforts. Also the standard requires that OSHA have access to various records to ensure that employers are complying with the disclosure provisions.

Agency: Occuptational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Commercial Diving Operations (29 CFR 1910, Subpart T).

OMB Number: 1218-0069 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 3,000.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 1 hour.

Total Burden Hours: 91,326.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: In 29 CFR part 1910, Subpart T, Commercial Diving Operations, the information to be collected is designed to minimize the possibility of a commercial diver being injured or killed (e.g., by gas embolism, decompression sickness) due to poor planning. Without the records required in the standard, necessary safeguards that have proven extremely effective in protecting commercial divers against inherent and obvious hazards underwater would be removed, and as a result, the fatality and injury/illness rate for this industry could rise. Consequences of accidents in diving can be severe due to the environment in which divers work.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Walking-Working Surfaces (29 CFR 1910.21-.30).

OMB Number: 1218-0199 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Not for-profit institutions; Farms; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal Government.

Number of Respondents: 60,500.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Varies from 3 minutes to 20 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 33,837.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: The information collected in the Walking-Working Surfaces standard is used by employers and employees to be aware of load limits of the floors of newly constructed buildings, the location of permanent aisles and passageways in these buildings, and defective portable metal ladders. Once the floor loading signs are posted, there is no need to change them unless structural conditions change or if the signs become lost, removed or defaced. Once a portal metal ladder is marked as defective, it must be removed from service and either repaired or destroyed. Repaired metal ladders may be returned to service and the markings removed. The tags or signs used to mark the defective ladders may be used over and over again.

Further, a copy of the drawings and specifications of an outrigger scaffold not constructed and erected in accordance with table D-16 of the standard and designed by a licensed professional engineer must be maintained by the employer. The drawings and specifications are used by the employer and OSHA compliance officers to show the sizes and spacing of members.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Concrete and Masonry Construction (29 CFR 1926.703(a)(2)).

OMB Number: 1218-0095 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 994.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 10 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 7,787.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: Section 1926.703(a)(2) requires that formwork drawings or plans for cast-in-place concrete construction work be available at the jobsite. The information is needed by employers, employees, OSHA compliance officers, and other interested persons in the construction industry to ensure concrete structures are erected in a safe and purposeful manner. This provision addresses safety and health concerns caused by improperly designed and erected formwork. Such hazards could cause partial or total collapse of concrete structures and result in serious or fatal injuries to workers.

Agency: Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Cadmium in General Industry (29 CFR 1910.1027).

OMB Number: 1218-0185 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit; Federal Government; State, Local or Tribal governments.

Number of Respondents: 54,544.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: Ranges from 5 minutes to maintain a record to 1.5 hours for an employee to have a medical exam.

Total Burden Hours: 148,712.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): $19,068,500.

Description: The Cadmium standard and its information collection requirements provide protection for employees from the adverse health effects associated with occupational exposure to Cadmium. The Standard requires that employers establish a compliance program, including exposure monitoring and medical records. These records are used by employees, physicians, employers and OSHA to determine the effectiveness of the employers' compliance efforts. The standard also requires that OSHA have access to various records to ensure that employers are complying with the disclosure provisions.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Occupational Code Request.

OMB Number: 1205-0137 (extension).

Agency Number: ETA 741.

Frequency: As needed.

Affected Public: State or Local governments.

Number of Respondents: 57.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Total Burden Hours: 28 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: ETA 741, Occupational Code Request, (OCR), is provided as a public service to the States to obtain occupational codes and titles for jobs not included in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles.

Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Title: Slope and Shaft Sinking Plans (30 CFR 77.1900).

OMB Number: 1219-0019 (extension).

Agency Number: None.

Frequency: On occasion.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.

Number of Respondents: 1,117.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 40 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 1,000.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: Requires coal mine operators to submit to MSHA for approval a plan that will provide for the safety of workmen in each slope or shaft that is commenced or extended.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Interstate Arrangement for Combining Employment and Wages.

OMB Number: 1205-0029 (revision).

Agency Number: ETA 586.

Frequency: Quarterly.

Affected Public: State or Local governments.

Number of Respondents: 53.

Estimated Time Per Respondent: 4 hours.

Total Burden Hours: 848 hours.

Total Annualized Capital/Startup Costs: 0.

Total annual costs (operating/maintaining systems or purchasing services): 0.

Description: This report provides data necessary to measure the scope and effect of the program for combining employment and wages covered under different States' laws of single State and monitor States' payment and wage transfer performance.

Agency: Employment and Training Administration.

Title: Evaluation of the Quantum Opportunity Program (QDP) Demonstration.

OMB Number: 1205-ONEW.

Description: This information is necessary to estimate the direct impacts of the QDP Demonstration on high school promotion and graduation, academic achievement, post-secondary education and training, and avoidance of behaviors that can be barriers to becoming economically self-sufficient. Further, this information collection will allow for measurement of the impact of the program on facts that protect youth from problem behaviors. Respondents include students in the study sample--both treatment and control--and school administrators responsible for collecting and maintaining these student's school records.

Todd R. Owen,
Departmental Clearance Officer.

[FR Doc. 98-26080 Filed 9-29-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4510-26-M